Discuss the steps to be taken to minimise environmental degradation by industry.

The below mentioned steps should be taken to minimise environmental degradation by industry:

(i) Minimising use water for processing by reusing and recycling it in two or more successive stages. 

(ii) Harvesting of rainwater to meet water requirements. 

(iii) Treating hot water and effluents before releasing them in rivers and ponds.

(iv)Overdrawing of ground water reserves by industry where there is a threat to ground water resources also needs to be regulated legally.

(v)Particulate matter in the air can be reduced by fitting smoke stacks to factories with electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, scrubbers and inertial separators. Smoke can be reduced by using oil or gas instead of coal in factories. Machinery and equipment can be used and generators should be fitted with silencers.